An Arkansas bill that would have ended the state's policy of closing schools based solely on enrollment failed by one vote in the state House. The bill got a 50-33 vote but needed 51 votes to advance, Arkansas News reports. In 2003 Arkansas adopted a law that dictates mandatory consolidation of schools that enroll fewer than 350 students in consecutive years.
State Rep. Jon Hubbard, who sponsored the bill, said his bill would have shielded school districts that fall below the enrollment criteria if they are academically, structurally and financially sound. Gov. Mike Beebe had spoken out against the bill because he said it "threatens to reopen long-running litigation over the adequacy and equity of the state's method of funding public schools," Hubbard writes. Democratic State Rep. Buddy Lowell said if the bill passed schools that had been forced to close under the current law would sue the state. (Read more)
State Rep. Jon Hubbard, who sponsored the bill, said his bill would have shielded school districts that fall below the enrollment criteria if they are academically, structurally and financially sound. Gov. Mike Beebe had spoken out against the bill because he said it "threatens to reopen long-running litigation over the adequacy and equity of the state's method of funding public schools," Hubbard writes. Democratic State Rep. Buddy Lowell said if the bill passed schools that had been forced to close under the current law would sue the state. (Read more)
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